182 The French in Prince Edward Island

to Isle Saint Jean, an influx accompanied by much privation and hardship, which repeatedly called forth the helpless sympathy of the harassed officials in Port La Joye. The task of receiving and locating these refugees fell to the lot of Captain de Bonna- venture and Sieur Degoutin, Commandant and Sub- delegate of the Intendant, respectively. They were appointed in August, 1749, the former holding office until 1754, the latter until his death in 1752.

The instructions of Degoutin have been preserved and throw considerable light upon his duties at this trying period. Civil justice belonged to him entirely, but in criminal cases it was his duty only to ask the Commandant to arrest the accused, to hold a pre- liminary investigation and to await further instruc- tions from Louisburg. He was to take charge of the King’s magazines, to keep a careful record of rations supplied to the garrison and to the habitans and refugees. He was to make a census of the inhabitants, men, women, and children, to receive new immigrants with attention, and make every effort to attract as many as possible. While supplying the refugees with everything they needed from the King’s stores, he was not to give rations to the ancient inhabitants, as they were to be aided only in the pursuit of the fish- eries and in the culture of lands, but provisions should be doled out to them only in time of famine. In codperation with the Commandant he was to parcel out lands to both old and new inhabitants in proportion to their live stock and to the work which they could undertake. He was to assist the Com-